Practice Management
Sharp drop in LPC pass rate
Pass rates on the legal practice course have fallen significantly, while the achievement gap between white and ethnic minority students remains large, new research has found.
Boutique firm first to commit to ethical quality mark
A niche London disputes practice has become the first law firm to sign up to the Good Business Charter – an ethical business initiative that supported by both the CBI and TUC.
First indemnity insurance for freelance solicitors launched
An insurance intermediary in the City of London has opened the door to the new breed of freelance solicitors by launching the first indemnity cover for them.
The law “has echoes” of pre #metoo film industry
The law has many of the elements of the film industry that led Harvey Weinstein being tried for multiple sexual offences, it has been claimed.
Family lawyers “disproportionately female and white”
Three-quarters of family lawyers are women, while those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are under-represented, ground-breaking research has indicated.
Standards committee backs AI “regulatory assurance body”
A body that identifies gaps in the regulatory landscape on the use of artificial intelligence and advises individual regulators is needed as the technology develops, the government has been told.
Age discrimination solicitor awarded £13k in damages
An experienced property solicitor who won a claim of age discrimination after being rejected for a job at a law firm, has been awarded damages of £13,200. Nearly half of this was aggravated damages.
Big law firms “under-pricing” work
Large law firms are damaging their profitability by poor scoping of work and under-pricing it, and are also set to penalise lawyers who offer clients overly large discounts, a survey has found.
First apprentice qualifies as chartered legal executive
A paralegal at listed law firm DWF has become the first chartered legal executive to qualify through an apprenticeship, an appropriate landmark for National Apprenticeship Week.
Law firm discriminated against disabled paralegal
A law firm discriminated against a seriously ill paralegal by dismissing him after only three months while he was on sick leave, an employment tribunal has ruled.
Blog
Why this is the year for law firms to embrace generative AI
After more than a year of pilots, proofs of value and early experimentation, firms are increasingly embedding AI into day-to-day workflows.
Client account interest is not spare change
The proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts scheme is being framed as a sensible, international, “tried and tested” way for the profession to help fund a justice system under strain.
The formula for finance-enabled business development
Client concentration or over-dependence now counts as a top strategic risk for 26% of firms. Cross-selling is an antidote – a way to bolster revenue resilience without relying on client acquisition.
